Every year, we notice the constant changes in the world of work as it continues to evolve. Remote and hybrid work cultures are now the norm, when it was a rarity, just 10 years ago. While the flexibility of these work styles is fantastic, and a welcome break from the daily commute, it comes with its challenges. With our homes now playing the roles of our offices too, creating and maintaining a clear boundary between our personal and professional lives can feel like a juggling act – and, we were never taught how to do it!
Seasoned professionals and newcomers, are both alike grappling with this reality and it’s not just about feeling as if you’re stretched thin; it’s more about the ripple effect that it has on your mental health, physical well-being, and relationships.
If this sounds familiar to you, let’s just clarify that you’re not alone. Research has shown that working long hours not only increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and burnout but can also impact your physical health.
The answer to all these issues lies in achieving work-life balance, which, contrary to popular belief, is not dividing your time into two perfect halves but about creating a rhythm, where both your work and your life coexist peacefully, that works best for you.
Steps to achieve Work-Life Balance
Let’s look at some practical and easily actionable steps to help you reclaim your balance:
1 .Take Breaks during Work hours
We often think that work-life balance means taking time off after or before work to do things we want to but work-life balance usually starts during your workdays. Schedule short breaks to stretch, take a walk, or even just breathe. Research has shown that micro-breaks can boost focus and reduce stress. You’re not a robot that can work for 8 hours a day without any break; stepping away from the screen for just 10 minutes, every hour or so can work wonders!
2 . Audit your Time
Ever wonder where your day flies by? The best way to figure out how it does that is by keeping track of how you spend your hours. Try tracking how you spend your time for just a week and you’ll likely discover time sinks in your daily life, like unnecessary scrolling or overcommitting to tasks that don’t align with your goals. Use the insights you gain to cut down on activities that aren’t adding value to you and reallocate this time to what you think truly matters.
3 . Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries can be especially helpful if you work completely remotely or on the days that you are working from home. Create clear start and end times for your workday and consider muting work apps outside of these hours. This signals not only to your brain but also to your colleagues, that work has its place and it’s not going to be your priority 24/7.
4 . Learn and embrace the art of saying no
Most of us have been conditioned to say yes to everything, all the time, as we think that makes us seem helpful and ready to take on challenges. However, overcommitting can easily lead to overwhelm. Take note of your priorities and politely decline tasks that don’t align with your long-term goals, or short-term projects or stretch you too thin. Saying no isn’t selfish – it’s an act of self-preservation.
5 . Give up on Perfectionism
Perfectionism probably has served most of us well in school or earlier on in life, but as responsibilities grow, it can become a burden. This doesn’t mean that you should give the bare minimum to all your tasks and just let it be but instead of striving for perfection, strive for progress. Perfectionism, if not curbed, can be extremely detrimental to your mental and physical health so, keep in mind that good enough is often good enough.
6 . Use your PTO (Paid Time Off) completely
A 2024 study showed that 62% of Americans don’t use all of their PTO. It’s about time that we learn how to take time off and not feel guilty about it. Whether you need a vacation, a mental health day, or a day to recover from an illness, stepping away from work can do wonders. PTO is time off that is provided to you and it is your right to completely use it up. This might be harder to do for independent employees like freelancers or small business owners but keep in mind that burnout is not a badge of honour and taking time off is productive.
7 . Make time for yourself and your loved ones
Yes, your job is extremely important but it cannot substitute the time you spend with yourself and your near and dear ones. Before your job, you were a whole person with hobbies, interests, passions and relationships so, don’t give up on that. Put date nights, family dinners or solo “me time” on your calendar along with your meetings, and work engagements. Even just 30 minutes a day dedicated to connecting with yourself or your family and friends can recharge your spirit and give you renewed energy.
8 . Set Goals and Prioritize
Balance is often seen as a magical equilibrium but it’s really about prioritization. Both in work and life, define what is important to you and plan your day accordingly. You can also enlist the help of a few time-management techniques that can help you evaluate your to-do list and eliminate things that are of little or no value to you. Focus your peak energy hours on high-value tasks, and let go of time-wasting habits like endless email checks.
9 . Seek Professional Help when needed
It is easy to feel overwhelmed when taking all these steps to help you achieve a better life but there’s no shame in asking for help from a professional. Coaches and therapists can provide guidance, whether you’re setting boundaries, managing stress, or chasing ambitious goals. Sometimes, an outside perspective is just what you need to get back on track.
A moving target
Work-life balance is, unfortunately, not a one-and-done achievement. Your needs and priorities will inevitably change as your career evolves, relationships grow, and life changes but they key is to check in regularly with yourself. Ask:
Remember, balance doesn’t mean perfection – some days you will tip more into work and other days, you will lean more into life – and that’s completely normal. The goal is to build a life where both can coexist peacefully.
